The "modern"
URBAN FABRIC
Currently, about 51% of the world’s population lives in less than 2% of the world’s land, and 95% lives in 10% of the land (European Commission, Joint Research Centre). “In 2007, for the first time in history, the global urban population exceeded the global rural population, and by 2014, 54 per cent of the world’s population resided in the urban area. By 2050, 66 per cent of the world’s population is projected to be urban. Today, the most urbanized regions include Northern America (82%) Latin America and the Caribbean (8%), and Europe (73%). In contrast, Africa and Asia remain mostly rural, with 40 and 48 % of their respective populations living in urban areas. All regions are expected to urbanize further over the coming decades with Africa and Asia urbanizing faster than the other regions they are projected to become 56 and 64 % urban, by 2050. Asia, despite its lower level of urbanization, is home to 53 per cent of the world’s urban population, followed by Europe (14 per cent)”. (World Urbanization Prospects (2014).
And as people keep migrating at impressive speeds from the countryside into urban areas, cities across the glove are expected to keep growing. Cities are vital for development and reduce poverty in urban and rural areas alike since they concentrate government and commerce and offer vital links to rural areas. Urban living has a direct correlation to better health, higher literacy rates, easier access to social and civic services and improved cultural and political participation.
co-
in Latin, the form of com-
"together, with"
coexist
to be together in the same time or space
cohesive
sticking together
combine
to put two things together
committee
a group of people who meet together to discuss a topic
communication
the act of talking with someone and discussing something together
community
a place where people live together
compatible
able to live together and get along; things that can go together without problems
Collaborate / cooperative
to work ‘with’ another
Companion
one ‘with’ whom one eats bread
COLECTIVE
"Do not seek happiness,
Grow it under your feet."
51% of the world’s population lives in less than 2% of the world’s land
Until a few years ago, human society was based on the extended family; a family of at least 3 generations, with parent, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, all living together in a single or loosely knit multiple household. -Christopher Alexander
What if all of the things we hate about living in cities is simply a design error, a blind error, of the things we didn't know we didn't know. To think that we simply took for granted all the things in plain sight. Well, that's good news. Let's just return to the roots then. Lets design a city that is not only beautiful and clean but also comfortable and resilient. From the ground up, one structure at a time, one household at a time. (inner and outer worlds the personally rich life that leads to a thriving partnership that births a happy family that can be pillars of a community that can come together in low and joy. Its a closed feedback loop. Our cities reflect our lifestyle, our lifestyle reflects our health and inner world. As Winston Churchill said:
We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us
Imagine a city that is not a concrete jungle but rather a manicured version of what we have always known to be our environment. Instead of a dirty place that disconnects and distracts us, its an enchanting street that embraces diversity in all aspects. That includes urban agriculture as much as pockets of raw nature and everything in between. Homes that bring the new type of family together. A voluntary family that adopts its neighbors as beloved individuals and they all brake bread together. Sign together. A city with a European model of high density low rise then also adopts the principle of the triple bottom line and only grow in ways that are beneficial socially, economically, and environmentally. Embracing green architecture and infrastructure as a standard of living and achieving that one lot at a time. Read more about green infrastructure to see what this means at the street level. Then see "Mixed family Dwellings" to see how this applies to the community or voluntary family. And lastly, read about the home realm to see how it all starts with a healthier home. These are the means to achieve great quality of life within the urban fabric.
